Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Sandwiches

Yield – 8 servings

Preparation Time – 10 minutes

Cooking Time – 4 – 6 hours

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, frozen or thawed
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp minced dried onion or ¼ cup fresh onions, minced
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, ground
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp chipotle, ground
• 1/4 tsp cumin, ground
• 3 drops liquid smoke
• 8 oz. queso blanco
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• Bread or rolls for serving
• Optional: top with avocados, lettuce etc.

Directions

• Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray. Add the chicken thighs to the base of the slow cooker.
• In small bowl, stir together the honey, vinegar, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, chipotle, cumin, and liquid smoke.
• Pour sauce over chicken. If frozen, cook on high 4 – 6 hours or low for 6 – 8 hours.  If thawed, cook on high 4 hours or low 6 hours.
• When the chicken is cooked, remove slow cooker from heating element and drain off most of the liquid leaving about 1/2 cup sauce (and the chicken) in the slow cooker.
• Use a fork to pull apart chicken pieces in the slow cooker. Add both the queso blanco & the cream cheese to chicken and mix until cheese is completely melted and no lumps remain.
• Serve on sandwich rolls with your favorite fixings, like avocado and lettuce!

*Note: If you are using chicken that is NOT packaged with broth or “solution,” you’ll want to add ¼ cup water to the sauce before cooking.  Most fresh or frozen chicken I buy is up to 15% solution.  Check the package for details.